DAC/Amp Combos with Analogue Inputs - Signal Route?

I was always keen on these designs, with analogue inputs so you can hook up whatever gear if you fancy it; they aren't just limited to the same digital source.

However I was speaking to someone at a recent vinyl-related meet and he said that any analogue input is actually converted into a digital signal on a DAC/Amp combo so it is then fed through the same circuitry - otherwise there would be problems with differing audio qualities between the two, and another load of wiring for a purely analogue circuit (I can't remember exactly as this was a few weeks ago). He runs an amp/headphone related distribution business in the UK, so I presume that he knows, but it's still hard to believe - can anyone confirm or deny this?

It seems bizarre that any analogue signal must go through some ADC->DAC process, thus affecting any advantages of a pure analogue signal chain!

 

Exogal Comet

Audio Alchemy DDP-1

 

Audeze Deckard .... like the Matrix M-Stage it is based on the digital section is a add-on board. No way the analogue in is ADCd.

Same with Violectric V200.

 

Hmm, so maybe my friend has some strange circuitry going on! Thanks for your answers gents.

 

Some all in one DAC/amps have analog input that bypasses the DAC part and the analog signal just gets amplified. Having an ADC is rare.

 

Rare but not unheard of. I have a Nuprime IDA-8 which does this.